Jun 04,2006June 7: Public Hearing on Bend Development Code by bendweekly

The City has been working toward the adoption of a new Development Code since early 2002.The process started with the formation of a Citizens Code Advisory Committee.This committee met regularly with a contract consultant to develop a draft proposal.

The Draft Development Code was made available to the public in October 2003.At that time, staff began a series of public workshops to review the highlights of the proposed Draft Code and receive public comment.Staff compiled information from the public meetings and prepared a revised draft to reflect the concerns of the public and the City Council.

The public hearing process with the Planning Commission began in July 2004.At the close of the hearings and following much discussion, the Planning Commission reconvened the Citizens Code Advisory Committee to revisit specific areas of the draft.The committee meetings ended in November 2004.

The Planning Commission reviewed the final Planning Commission Draft of the proposed Development Code on June 27, 2005 during the regularly scheduled meeting and recommended the proposed Code to the City Council.

The City Council held its first public hearing on the revised Draft Development Code on September 12, 2005. Following the hearings, the City Council held a series of worksessions to review the draft and consider the public testimony. The council focus so far has been primarily residential. There have been considerable changes to Chapters 2.1, 3.6 and 4.5. Smaller associated changes have occurred throughout the draft code.

The meeting will be held at City Hall in the City Council Chambers located at 710 NW Wall Street in downtown Bend. Meetings are broadcast live on COTV channel 11 beginning at 7 pm.